Minister for Veterans Chris Penk listens to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's speech, sitting next to RSA National President Buck Shelford. Photo: Russell Palmer / RNZ
RSA members are welcoming a more inclusive Anzac Day, but say more funding and broader access to support is needed.
The government has announced changes to the Anzac Day Act to also honour those who have served in conflicts since 1966 - when the law was last updated.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon revealed the decision on Wednesday in a speech to the Returned and Services' Association (RSA)'s annual national council.
It is a largely symbolic gesture, as there's nothing in the law preventing people from celebrating those who may have served in the military since then.
Minister for Veterans Chris Penk says sometimes symbolic gestures are important.
"I'd say words are important. Actions are important, yes, but words are important too and acknowledgment in some intangible ways can be very important. Medallic recognition is an example of something that is on one level merely symbolic [... but] incredibly meaningful to those people."
He says there was bipartisan support, but the change will not take effect until 2026.
RSA Wellington president Kevin Arlidge, a retired Colonel, served in the Cold War and said the change was long overdue.
Colonel (retired) Kevin Arlidge, 69, at the RSA's annual national council meeting in Wellington on Wednesday. Photo: RNZ / Russell Palmer
He thought it was a good first step but more change was needed, including broadening the definition of what a veteran is.
"Giving a wider definition of veteran, as opposed to just overseas deployments, but also all the hazards and liability that goes with peacetime training, preparing for something that you wish would never happen."
In Australia and other similar jurisdictions overseas, anyone who has served a single day is considered a veteran. RSA Gore's President Bradley Bridgman said adopting that approach would Veterans' Affairs support for those who haven't been deployed overseas.
"We've had a lot of people fall through the cracks that haven't deployed overseas, however have had lifechanging effects from their service.
Bradley Bridgman Photo: RNZ / Russell Palmer
"It's trying to pick those people up and get them the care that they require - through our health system or whatever ... their service should be recognised."
Penk served in both New Zealand and Australia's navies. He's considered a veteran across the ditch, but not in Aotearoa.
He said many others had served much longer - one man he spoke to on Monday had been serving for 50 years and was not considered a veteran.
"Five decades no less, and he's not considered a veteran officially, under New Zealand law."
He was hopeful of being able to make the change, as they deserved recognition and respect, and was aiming to announce progress by Anzac Day next year.
Major Ross Himona leads the RSA's advisory group, and was pleased to hear it, saying it was one of the "main things that we've been advocating" in the past six months or so in his conversations with the minister.
Major Ross Himona Photo: RNZ / Russell Palmer
He was, however, frustrated the symbolic gesture had not been backed up with more funding.
"I would have expected the prime minister mgith have announced that we were giving some more funding to RSA to do the things we're doing on a voluntary basis with very little funding. That's what we really need."
Penk said funding did need to be increased - at least in support and recognition of veterans, likely through Veterans Affairs - but finding the money would not be easy.
"The priority has to be to maximise the value for the resources that we've got and if we could increase those resources in time that would be great but if we can ensure in the meantime that our systems are best able to deliver the things that are needed to veterans then that's a really good place to start."
